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Friday, February 13, 2009

New Drug Approved for FMS - Read this first before your rush to buy it

I do agree that fibromyalgia is not an enjoyable condition. However, to me, and for all of the people who do live with FMS on a daily basis, I find it offensive that the only focus is to offer a risky drug that manages only the symptoms.

Are we so far removed from humanity that all of the millions in drug research can't be diverted to find the cure?

It is unfortunate that so little is made available in media outlets for those natural care approaches that have helped thousands with this diagnosis.

I am pleased to learn that my formulas, Heart Leaf Remedy 6:4 and ADVENTURX, have proven helpful to so many with fibromyalgia.

Our complete program has helped many to recover.

"Fibromyalgia is a complicated chronic pain condition, so it is important that physicians and patients have access to treatments that have been shown to help manage the symptoms that define the experience of fibromyalgia," Daniel Clauw, professor of anesthesiology and medicine at the University of Michigan, said in a company news release.

BLACK BOX WARNING: SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGSSee full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.• Increased risk of suicidal ideation, thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Savella is not approved for use in pediatric patients (5.1)

SNRIs, including Savella, have been associated with reports of increase in blood pressure.

Patients taking prescription drugs need to be nutrition-conscious

Prescription drugs often become a necessary component of patients' health. And that presents a new need -- the need for physicians and pharmacists to discuss the possible ramifications of taking a prescription, including nutrient depletion in the body.

Most people are well-versed in the importance of vitamins, minerals, and herbs to their health. Stress, environmental pollutants, and poor diet all contribute to the depletion of nutrient levels in the body.

Unfortunately, most people are not aware of how prescription drugs create drug-induced nutrient depletion. This is an important issue that becomes even more important when a patient must take a prescription for a chronic condition.

As America ages, it's inevitable that more of the population will need prescription drugs for chronic conditions. There's already an influx of prescriptions for Americans' high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, and other health concerns. This is a prime opportunity to educate your patients about the need for nutritional therapy as an adjunct to taking prescription medications. Not only does this benefit the patient, but also enables you to integrate natural medicines into your clinic or pharmacy.

Consider that anti-hypertensive medications for blood pressure, drugs that comprise the sixth largest dollar-volume category of prescription drugs in the U.S. in 1998, will deplete zinc in the body. This mineral is crucial to the immune system and its many functions including wound healing and infection fighting. A zinc deficiency can also cause insulin resistance and sexual dysfunction.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor® and Zocor® comprise the third largest category of prescription drugs in the United States in 1998 and can easily deplete Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). On the flip side, magnesium may inhibit the absorption of these drugs. And even commonplace NSAIDs deplete nutrients like folic acid. And it's this deficiency that poses greater risk for women because of the link to cervical dysplasia and birth defects in their children. Other problems associated with a lack of adequate folic acid include anemia, depression, elevated homocysteine levels (and corresponding risk of cardiovascular disease), and increased risks for developing breast and colorectal cancers.

Antidepressant DrugsIncludes drugs used to stimulate the mood of a depressed patient. Some are used in eating disorders, treating obesity, and panic disorders. Drugs include tricyclic and SSRI medicines such as Amitriptyline, Elavil, Tra-zodone, Desipramine, Pamelor, Nortriptyline, Serzone, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and Imipramine.

B-Complex Vitamins: Additional B--vitamins are critical when taking antidepressants for short or extended periods. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are especially necessary. There may also be an additional need for riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine(B6, necessary to produce serotonin).

Selenium: Stores of selenium are compromised with extended use of these drugs. A suggested supplementation dose would be 50 to 100 micrograms daily.

Zinc: Depletion of this antioxidant can slow wound healing and reduce the sense of taste. Supplement with a dose of 10--35 mg per day.

L-Gluthathione: An important amino acid that decreases free radicals and helps to protect your liver.

Calcium/Magnesium: Take for nutritional support, along with additional minerals.

4 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for a little over a decade although I'm certain that I've had it most of my life. Be very, VERY careful when the doctors want to put you on antidepressants. When cymbalta first came out, it was the "wonder drug" that was going to end my troubles. Well, it almost ended ME altogether!!! I had horrible suicidal ideations, and I even brought home insulin and a syringe to do myself in (I'm a nurse). The only thing that stopped me was my kids and knowing that they would be sent to live with their raging alcoholic father. I flushed the capsules down the toilet, and I also flushed the effexor while I was at it. I had the most horrifying withdrawal symptoms -- every time I turned my head (or even moved my eyes, for that matter) I had what felt like electrical "zaps" in my head. I was dizzy and shaky and generally ill. And this went on for several weeks before it finally stopped. I won't say that I will "never" take another antidepressant, but I had better see some darn good reasons before I fill the prescription. What finally brought my pain under control was methodone. I'm not pain free, but I have much less pain now. I am a firm believer that aggressive pain control is the #1 first thing fibro patients need. Pain control using "real" pain medications instead of antidepressants and seizure medications. Once the pain is under good control, then address these other issues.

Thank you very much for your comments. It is very indicative of the mainstream approach to FMS; just throw a drug at it.

Cymbalta is notorious for the suicide deaths of several during the trials before the FDA approved it.

You are lucky to have survived the cold turkey withdrawal from the SSRI drugs. This is not recommended and it has many serious risks, the effects are one reason why it is so very difficult for people to get off the drugs.

The seizure meds have risks of their own.

Maybe if someone took the time to review muscle cell physiology they might have a clue why these drugs just don't cut it.

I am sure that pain is a major factor in this condition, sadly too many prescribers are feraful of proper pain management.

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